A/N: Yeah, that's right. I'm back. After a horrible bout with writers block. I need a better muse or something.

Disclaimer: I own Lilly but that's all. I don't own anyone else. Not even the crazy ex.


The plan was to run away from the problems, not to bring them with her. But as Lilly sat in the Nabootique, absently watching Howard close up shop, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. She didn't think she could hide anything from him for too long. At least, not at the rate their relationship was going.

It had been almost a week since Lilly had told Howard she'd liked him. Vince had backed off and suddenly become awkwardly nice to Lilly, like he was trying to be friends with a china doll. Lilly reckoned there was still something going on between Vince and Howard but she thought it best not to pry.

She knew Howard was worried by the way she had clammed up since her hotel room confession but the idea that had caused the mood she was in hadn't occurred to her until later. Lilly didn't think she would have said anything to Howard if she would have realized how much danger she was putting him in.

"Are you sure you don't want to go upstairs with Vince? I'm sure he'll find some way to entertain you while I finish this." Howard had been doting on Lilly almost since he'd met her. However, it had gotten worse more recently. He was only trying to figure out what was bothering her and to remedy it, but most of the time it only made things worse.

"Yes, I'm sure." Her answer was sharp but she managed to soften her tone, "I like the quiet anyway. It gives me time to think."

"About what?" Howard pretended to busy himself but he was on alert now. Maybe she'd tell him what was bothering her.

Lilly was American – and public schooled, at that – but she wasn't stupid. She saw where this was going, "Nothing in particular. Home, mostly." At least she'd give him an honest answer, if a vague one.

Howard sighed and walked to the front door, switching the open sign to closed and turning to look at Lilly, "All done, I think. I'll just scoot upstairs and let the others know we're leaving."

There was the sound of a scuffle from upstairs, making Lilly and Howard crane their necks to look upwards. Lilly smirked as Vince yelled down, "Go! Have fun!"

She looked up at Howard, who was still looking in the direction of Vince's yelling, "I think he was listening in on us."

Howard gave the ceiling a confused look and then looked to Lilly, holding out his arm, "Shall we go, my lady?"

She said arm and laughed, "Lead the way, sir."

Together they left the shop – all smiles – and made their way to the restaurant.

The restaurant Howard had picked was a small Italian place within walking distance of the Nabootique. He'd been there once before with Vince but hadn't been able to enjoy it as the electro prince had spent the whole time whining about how everyone in the place seemed stiff and how no one had complimented his hair in the whole hour they were in there.

After getting settled and ordering their food, Lilly felt compelled to try to explain things to Howard. She'd planned to tell him eventually and – although this was much earlier than she'd planned – she felt now was as good a time as any.

"Howard?" He'd been looking around the room, trying to find anything but Lilly to focus on. He looked up when she said his name and nervously made eye contact.

Lilly made a heartfelt attempt at a reassuring smile, "I know you've been wondering what's been bothering me lately and I don't think it's fair to keep you in the dark anymore."

Howard braced himself. This is where she told him that she'd realized her mistake. She'd say something like, 'I'm very sorry for leading you on but I've realized how much more appealing everyone else on the planet is and I'm off to Tibet.' He tried not to show his immediate reaction and tried instead to look concerned and interested.

"I didn't just come to England as a getaway. I came to get away from something - someone, actually." Lilly looked down at her empty plate and completely missed Howard's initial look of confusion, "I didn't expect to meet anyone like you so quickly. I feel like I've been here ages and it's really only been a week." She looked up again to check Howard's reaction. To her mild amusement, he was giving her the most baffled look she'd ever seen.

"Are you alright, Howard?"

He took a moment to digest what she'd said a second time before answering, "I think so. That just isn't what I was expecting."

"I haven't even got to the serious part yet!" Lilly laughed and the mood lifted, for a moment at least.

Howard smiled at his own befuddlement and motioned her on, "Well you'd better get to it while I can still form sentences."

Lilly took a deep breath and dove into her confession, "There's this guy that I dated for a while back home in California. Come to think of it, he was English too. But he wasn't like you. He wasn't nearly as nice or as interesting."

"Then why did you date him?" Howard managed to find enough words to express his disgust and confusion.

Lilly shrugged, "Well he wasn't mean at first but the longer we dated, the worse it got. Eventually, it was so bad, I had to run away. So I came here."

Howard looked down at his food, silent. Lilly didn't know how to gauge his reaction. Was he angry? Was he hurt? Was he happy that he had the option to run away now?

Finally, after almost three minutes of silence, Howard looked up at her and mustered some courage, "Aren't you afraid he'll find you?"

"Sometimes. But there isn't much I can do, really. I don't regret coming here … or meeting you." She took a drink of her water to hide her embarrassment. She hadn't meant to say something so personal so early on. True, her feelings for Howard were strong, but they scared her and she was willing to bet they scared Howard as well.

Howard waited until Lilly had swallowed her water before asking her another question, "What is his name, this rough fellow?"

"Dixon." Lilly seemed to cringe as she said his name, as though it physically hurt her, "Dixon Bainbridge."